CPU gradually overheating = slow death? HELP!

djs101 · Post by **djs101** » Thu Jun 13, 2002 12:26 pm

BEFORE:

I've had some problems with my CPU overheating. I had my 1.4GHz Athlon running up to speed, but i would have OCCASIONAL problems with heat. not really a big deal. i took the HSF off, re-applied thermal compound, put it back on - and ... now my system is chocking.

AFTER:

I now have my system up and running. HOWEVER, it is underclocked down to 600MHz. If i go much higher, i'll overheat too easily. I am idle at 132F (56C) *with the case open*. THE CPU IS A 1.4GHz Athlon. I have never overclocked it.

could i have damaged the CPU?
IS THIS A SIGN THAT MY CPU IS GOING DEAD?

i am:
-using the same HSF as before
-thermal compound is applied properly
-jumpers are all set right

What the heck is going on?

wvjohn · Post by **wvjohn** » Thu Jun 13, 2002 12:38 pm

did you check the voltage? maybe if you lower the voltage it will be happier

djs101 · Post by **djs101** » Thu Jun 13, 2002 1:25 pm

ok, so just how low can i go with my Athlon CPU?

the default is 1.75v i believe.

wvjohn · Post by **wvjohn** » Thu Jun 13, 2002 2:25 pm

try it at 1.65 and see if it runs - sometimes cpus that are well burned in require less juice

NascarFool · Post by **NascarFool** » Thu Jun 13, 2002 2:33 pm

What HSF are you using and what kind of tower ? Any case fans installed ? If so, how many and where ?

rogue · Post by **rogue** » Thu Jun 13, 2002 4:51 pm

Whats your ambient room temperature like? What mounting method does your heatsink use?

Gand1 · Post by **Gand1** » Thu Jun 13, 2002 7:15 pm

To me it sounds like you don't have the heatsink on properly. All you did was take it off reapply compound and put it back on so....... it's either too much compund or the heatsink is not sitting on the chip correctly. Try completely cleaning off the CPU with some alchohol and only apply a small dab of compound, put the heatsink back on and let us know.

djs101 · Post by **djs101** » Thu Jun 13, 2002 10:35 pm

-my ambient room temperature is around 74F
-i have just a generic HSF. there is a little piece of metal that i clamp down to the CPU holder.
-i have a FULL-SIZE tower
-i have several fans inside my computer, but that's irrelovent, because i'm trying to get decent temps **even with the side of my case OFF!**
-i'm running at 1.65v
-i completely cleaned my heatsink and CPU, and re-applied grease a couple different times, but no improvement

a couple MAJOR points:

-i am UNDERCLOCKING my 1.4GHz Athlon to 1GHz, and i am idle right now at 138F (59C) with the CASE OPEN
-with this *same setup*, my system was running ok, until i initially took off CPU and reapplied grease (then this horrible situation started) --> so i think the CPU may be damaged, and is running absurdely hot, and there's nothing i can do about it

FuNPoLiCe001 · Post by **FuNPoLiCe001** » Thu Jun 13, 2002 10:40 pm

i dont see how a chipped proc can affect the temp that much...i've never even heard of that

can u get any pictures of the core, the amount of thermal grease u put on and how the heatsink is mounted?

djs101 · Post by **djs101** » Thu Jun 13, 2002 10:55 pm

me neither.

i've NEVER even heard of this before.
that's why i'm so confused?!?

i may borrow an Athlon CPU from my friend tomorrow, and see if my system (mobo, HSF, etc..) can handle his alright. If it does, then i'm gonna assume that my CPU is dying a slow death. If it doesn't... then... maybe it's my mobo's fault?!?

i'll keep you guys updated.

thanks for all your help so far though

FuNPoLiCe001 · Post by **FuNPoLiCe001** » Thu Jun 13, 2002 11:20 pm

u didnt happen to take the fan off the heatsink and then put it back on in the wrong direction did u?

farmercal · Post by **farmercal** » Fri Jun 14, 2002 1:10 am

The CPU going bad doesn't produce more heat (from what I have learned on these forms). If the CPU is getting hot it is because there isn't sufficient cooling via the HSF. You might have to lap the heat sink to get it to dissipate the heat properly. If you haven't gone to the Arctic Silver website, I would suggest a visit as they describe in great detail how to apply the thermal grease to ensure folks do not improperly use their product. I have heard that too much grease can actually inhibit good cooling. Check it out and good luck.

NascarFool · Post by **NascarFool** » Fri Jun 14, 2002 1:30 am

-i have just a generic HSF. there is a little piece of metal that i clamp down to the CPU holder.

That could possibly be your problem. With a retail HSF, I was idle at 51ºC, I now use a CoolerMaster HeatPipe HSF and I also use wpcrest/wpcredit to get my normal use temps down to 32ºC. Can you post a pic of your HSF ? By the way, I had three fans in my tower. One 80mm in the front (air in), one 80mm in the side (air in) and iI had a 60mm 7k rpm in the rear for exhaust. The exhaust fan was right by the heat pipe HSF and was pulling air away from it, causing temps to climb. I removed it and temps came down. Too many case fans can be bad too.

sethpa · Post by **sethpa** » Fri Jun 14, 2002 5:33 am

djs, are you SURE you are mounting the heatsink properly? When you take it off you should get a perfect impression of the core of the Tbird on the bottom of the heatsink. IF NOT, it's not on properly. Remove it and look. Most heatsinks can be turned around, the WRONG way and the ledge on the bottom will be keeping the heatsink from being flat on the core of the processor. Or it's possible something on the motherboard is interfering with it sitting correctly. If all this checks out OK, then find another heat sink to try, preferably a good one

Also, it's difficult to properly mount a heatsink while the motherboard is installed, inside a case. It's a pain, but remove the mobo so you can get at it better.

Good Luck,
sethpa